Well,

After finally getting the brakes done I goto start my 300 and to my surpise..nothing.. it barely cranked. Threw it on the charger...started right up...drive it around 30 some miles maybe more highway and stop-n-go roads...came home..parked in the garage..turned the key off...30seconds later..tried to start it and NOTHING!

I had my amps/subs going but that had never caused a problem before.

I installed a keyless entry a weekago. I have the fuse pulled for the relays for the flashers/horn. The only thing getting power 12v constant is the "brain" and it isnt doing much to drain the battery in 30seconds.

My only other suspect was a underdoor light..which i removed..it was getting power..but the bulb wasnt working..the filament was ok...

I have no idea what could be causing this


I plan on taking it down to Advance have then do that FREE check of the charging/battery

see what their numbers come up with...


anything guys....


thanks again

Kris

The fact that you drove it for 30 minutes and failed to charge the battery to a sufficient level leads me to believe that the alternator has no output, or the battery is in such poor condition that it won't accept a charge.

The former can easily be checked with a voltmeter. Bring the engine up to 2000 rpm and the reading must be 13.5 volts or more.

The latter can be checked by any decent seller of batteries using a load test.

Sorry but your alternator may have just gone weak. It isn't related to your repairs though.

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

Sounds like a weak battery and a weak alt. Subs draw a lot of amps compared to what the system was designed for.

How old is your battery? 4-5 years is pushing it for a diesel, especially if you live in a colder climate.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

you removed the light did you tape off the socket wires? if not you may be getting a dead short.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Kris : keep it simple ~ you have a load tester right there ,(the car) all you need is an _analog_ multi-meter like the cheapo $3.95 one from harbor freight ~ charge the battery and see if it'll hold 12.7 volts no load then try to start it and see what the voltage reads ~ 11 volts or better ? your battery is fine , look at starter etc.

Under 12 volts ? battery is suspect .

Once you get it running connect the voltimiter to the cigar lighter and go for a drive ~ these cars have a pretty low charge rate (55 amps) so it'll take some time to get up to 14.0 VDC or higher , manybe not at all if you run the stereo .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

to answer some questions:

the battery is just turning 1 year old.
the previous was replaced 6mo. old

the volt reg. was replaced 1 year ago.

i put a volt meter across the terminals..it read 11.8/11.9 VDC..after it sat for a little and wouldnt start.

I will conduct the meter test (2200rpm) etc tomorrow and I'll see what that produces..

As for the cig lighter test...mine do not work. all of them are disabled/unplugged.

i did not tape off those light wires..I would actually like to fix that..i dont quite know whats wrong with it...i touched my meter to it and it says 12v (last time i checked it--2 weeks ago) the bulb's filament was good yet no light...


if the batt is bad...something funny is going on here this (current) battery is the car's 3rd in under 6 years.

if the alt is bad i would like to replace it with a 115amp alt. i think that would help alot. anyone know a good source (not boneyard) relativly low priced?

vwnate1 - u from around me? If not--i didnt know that harbor freight had more locations...hmm ive actually never been there lol but i know the name from around here
Thanks